Quote:
Originally Posted by ballin4life
Incorrect use of idioms. "Begs the question" is a particularly big offender. I completely understand why people think it means the same thing as "raises the question" but it still annoys me.
I think you meant to type "begging the question".
Quote:
Originally Posted by 27offsuit
has anyone other than paul phillips ever used 'begs the question' correctly?
IIRC from age 17 or whever we learned this, begging the question is when a person passively states a "fact" that probably isn't actually a fact, and they are using it as a premise for their argument.
"Because dune buggies are safer than Toyota Camrys, we decided to save $18,000 and opt for the dune buggy. I have small kids, you know."
They are "begging the question" with the "fact" that dune buggies are safer than Camrys. At least that's what I remember.
I don't have a huge problem with someone over using "begs the question" b/c I don't know what else they would say in those cases they use it. For instance "Doug has to work today but he will be able to pick us up when we're done at the park." "that begs the question, what time does Doug get off work?"
I don't have any problem with that. But if they say "you are begging the question" then I have a problem with that since that is a phrase that means something else.